High School and I had a crazy ride. We spent four long years together, in a constant love-hate-but-mostly-hate relationship. Then, the day came. May 31, 2017, I flipped my tassel and finally left what had been taking up most of my life for the previous four years. I have a new man now. His name is Towson University and our relationship is much healthier.
But even though I didn't like High School all that much, after leaving I acted just as every ex-girlfriend does. Me and High School's other exes all laughed at how much High School had gone downhill after our break up while we were all in a better place. And even though I knew I was in a better place, I needed my ex to realize that too.
The theatre program was one good part of the relationship that High School and I shared. Until senior year, where it got a little rocky. Regardless, I decided to return to High School to see the fall play in order to support the friends I had there. I'm not one to care about my appearance. I'll usually throw on the first thing I see when I open my dresser.
But when I went to see High School I spent an hour trying to find the perfect outfit. An outfit that would make High School be like "damn, she is amazing. I really wish I appreciated her while I had her."
But at the same time an outfit that I could be like "oh this? I just threw it on." Finally, I settled on an outfit and went. After the show, I waited for all the actors to come out. I thought back to a year ago where I'd run and hug the alumni who had come to see the show. I was awaiting that feeling, to be wanted and appreciated by my ex.
Fast forward a bit to the night before Thanksgiving when I went to the ending of a dance hosted by another ex of mine, Youth Group. Of course, I did the same routine of looking good but not too good. I walked in with a fellow alum expecting to be trampled with love and begging me to get back together.
That didn't happen, at the play or at the dance. I didn't win the breakup, at least not the way I thought I would. Instead of being screamed and hugged and missed by High School and Youth Group I mostly got a lot of "oh hey Ronnie". And that sucked. I don't miss High School-don't get me wrong. And I was ready to leave my intense relationship with Youth Group. But as any ex would agree, I really wanted them to want me back.
But this story has a happy ending. Some people were excited to see me. And they weren't usually the ones I'd expect. I had a 5-minute conversation with someone who in High School I'd maybe spoken to 5 times.
Two weeks later I got a message out of the blue from someone who had wanted to talk then but didn't have the time. I did get a big hug from my friend Julia when I went to the dance, and it made going there worth it. (That and the free ice cream I stole).
As Michael from The Office once said, "Don't listen to your critics, listen to your fans." So, that's what I did. I'm not gonna let my critics bring me down. Instead, I'm listening to my fans- the people who did miss me, my family, my new friends, and most importantly myself.
I won the breakup because even if High School didn't realize what it had, screw him. Towson has treated me much better from the day I moved in. It would be awesome to have an ex like High School see and acknowledge how much I'm thriving without them, but I don't need that to realize that I'm happier than I've ever been.